UPEC Environmental Education Grants

Geographic Scope: Upper Peninsula (UP) schools and educational organizations

Mission Alignment: Grants support educator-promoted environmental projects that protect and maintain the unique environmental qualities of the UP by educating the public.

Purpose

Supports educators in creating or enhancing environmental education programs or supporting ongoing activities. UPEC believes this program is especially important because schools are strapped for dollars to do innovative environmental education programs.

Project Types Funded

• In-person projects
• Hybrid in-person/virtual projects
• All-virtual projects
• Outdoor/hands-on experiences for young people
• Programs using arts (visual arts, dance, music) to advocate for environmental protection (receives special consideration)

Recent Examples of Funded Programs

• West Iron County High School: river clean-up
• Father Marquette Catholic Academy: at-school composting
• Western UP MiSTEM Program: Lake Superior Youth Symposium student attendance
• Art Shape Mammoth: student scholarships to artist camp in Ontonagon County
• Calumet High School: Forest Bathing experience
• Dickinson Conservation District: Shark Tank Sustainability program (invasive species management, water quality improvement)
• Gwinn Middle School: Salmon Release Field Trip

Eligibility

• Educators in Upper Peninsula schools (public or private)
• Nonprofit groups with 501(c)3 status
• Projects must be in the UP

What Will NOT Be Funded

• Salaries (but transportation, meals, supplies, honoraria are acceptable)

Judging Criteria

The judging committee rates proposals on six standard criteria:

1. Proposal is clear and complete (purpose, requested information, budget, project procedures, required materials submitted on time)
2. Project includes specific learning goals likely to be met
3. Project allows children to spend time outdoors and appreciate the outdoors
4. Project deals directly with UPEC's mission
5. High ratio of educational/environmental benefits to UPEC dollars spent
6. Project addresses a current, specific threat to UP environment

Special Funding Note

This grant award is made from a gift to UPEC in memory of the late Bonnie Miljour.

Post-Award Requirements

• Grant recipients must present a final report including accounting of funds expended and outcomes achieved
• Reports may be published in UPEC newsletter and may be edited
• Projects must be completed within 12-month period

How to Apply

Deadline: January 11 annually (next round: January 11, 2027)

Announcement: Next round will be announced in December 2026

Required Materials

• Clear and complete proposal including:
  • Purpose statement
  • Requested information
  • Detailed budget
  • Description of how the project will proceed
  • All required materials submitted on time

Evaluation Process

• UPEC Board judges proposals based on six standard criteria
• Grants awarded based on quality of application as evaluated by UPEC board
• New proposals and projects seeking their first funding are welcomed

Post-Award

• Final report required upon project completion
• Report must include accounting of funds expended and outcomes achieved

For more details, contact UPEC through their website.